Graphene Sheath Modulates Fiber-Optic Transmission At 200 GHz 18
An anonymous reader writes "Researchers in China have shown that a graphene sheath can modulate light transmission through an optical fiber at 200 GHz. The graphene, even crudely draped over the optic fiber on a microscope slide, absorbed some of the light passing through the fiber. But a preceding short-wavelength light pulse could temporarily disable the effect, enabling an all-optical infrared fiber-optic switch. Recovery was fast enough to enable modulation of transmitted light at 200 GHz using conventional fiber-optic communication wavelengths and thinned commercial telecommunications fibers. The findings could have use in telecommunications industry and future high-speed on-chip optical interconnects."
And on the far end? (Score:5, Interesting)
It sounds like this is just very high speed On Off Keying, which is not only limited by modulation but also by the ability to clearly receive that signal on the far end.
This could be an alternative to coherent phase shift keying as a short range 100G+ interconnect though, where dispersion and noise aren't an issue.
chops up the chip density some (Score:4, Interesting)
you also have to dissipate the heat of conversion in the source and detector, which means large chunks of silicon in relation to the transistors. but I can see using this to cut distortion cross-chip, or up a stack of chips in Cray-ish constructions, and maintain internal speed.
there is of course the usual last line of the study document, on behalf of the lead and the graduate assistants who have several years to go in their degree yet, that "this effect needs more study."